Welcome to my blog! Here I will add ways to care for yourself from a Chinese Medicine perspective, allergy friendly recipes, and other holistic info. Enjoy!
PMS explained with two perspectives western and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Of course, I always recommend to get body-work such as Shiatsu and Massage. I included ways to manage outside of just body-work.
(with tips on what to eat at the end) 🙂
WHAT IT IS:
What is PMS?PMS is a combination of emotional and physical symptoms one to two weeks before their period. This is typically after ovulation because of estrogen and progesterone levels falling if one is not pregnant. Symptoms usually disappear once the hormone levels rise and menstruation starts. Severe symptoms can be a sign of PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder).Demographic: 3 in 4 women get it at some point in their lives. PMS typically happens in women that experience high levels of stressors, family history of depression, and history of postpartum depression PMS Western Perspective: Changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. It is different for every woman. PMS stops once a woman hits menopause. Typically, people who getPMS have any of the following:-Depression-Anxiety-Chronic Fatigue-IBS-Bladder pain syndromeThese health problems can get worse along with thePMS Symptoms: – Headaches– Bloating– Constipation or diarrhea– Back ache– Appetite changes – Irritability– Too much sleep or insomnia– Mood swings– Crying spells, depression, anxiety– Less interest in sexDiagnosis: Talking with your doctor if you have symptoms 5 days before your period more than 3 cycles and keep you from your routines Western Treatment– Getting exercise to prevent fatigue, getting enough sleep, Finding healthy ways to cope with stress such as journaling or meditation. Also taking aspirin, Midol or ibuprofen.Eastern TCM Perspective: In Western Medicine, there is no clear “cause” however, in Traditional Medicine they are clear about there being specific patterns that attribute to PMS. Emotions play a big role-Mostly same symptoms, lifestyle factors, genetic factors play a role on the severity of PMS –TCM explains PMS as the liver’s failure to store and discharge blood –It is considered disharmony between the liver and the spleenPatterns include Spleen Qi Deficiency, Liver Qi Stagnation, Blood Deficiency and Liver Yin Deficiency. Below are symptoms of SP Qi, and LV Qi. Spleen Qi Deficiency:Manifestations:
-Heavy limbs
-Does not like to speak
– maybe Nausea and vomiting
-loose stools or diarrhea
-Little desire to eat
– muscle weakness
Points: Sp 5, Sp 6, LV13, ST36, Sp 3
Liver Qi Stagnation:
Manifestations:
-Depression
-Weeping
-Irritability/Anger
–Frustration
-Breast pain
-Headache
– Shoulder pain
–Emotional Changes
-Desire to stretch
-Insomnia
Points and Treatment:
To calm the spirit, LV13, BL16, LV14, Sp6, GB41, GB21 for stiff neck, HT7 for insomnia and disturbed sleep
WHAT TO EAT:
General Eating:Eating a balanced diet. Avoiding inflammatory foods. Adding in more fruits, dark leafy green vegetables, healthy fats (omega 3 and omega 6) , Zinc, Vitamin D and (K2)SUPPLEMENTS and Herbs: As stated above, Zinc, Vitamin D and (K2), magnesium, omega 3, probiotics for women’s health, B6 -ashwaghanda for calmness and may decrease food cravings (talk to your doctor if you’re concerned before taking it because it may counteract with certain drugs)-Chamomile to relax the digestive system, nausea, anxiety -Calendula helps with break-outs or PMS fluid retention
-Valerian Root for headaches and insomnia
-Passionflower contains GABA which is a natural amino acid that reduces nervous system activity, great for sleeping and managing anxiety
-Milk thistle for regulation of liver and indigestion -Chasteberry fruit extract for bloating and breast tenderness
-Lemon balm, for cramps
-Ginger for balance of hormones and indigestion
-skullcap for enhancing mood
-lavender for calming
-rose for enhancing mood and bloating
-raspberry leaf tea for PMS, diarrhea
– cinnamon for regulating and increasing progesterone
Foods for SP Qi:Barley, beef, black beans, carrots, chestnut, chicken, dates, ginger, lamb, onion, oats, squash, tuna, sweet potato Foods for LV Qi Stagnation: Artichoke, Asparagus, basil, broccoli, cardamom, cauliflower, ginger, garlic, mint, onions, pepper, peppermint, plums, pickles, turmeric, vinegar, citrus, cabbage Foods for Yin Def:Almonds, Mango, Orange, Peaches, Strawberries Foods for Blood Def:Goji berries, beets, carrots, lychee, raspberries, spinach, Spirulina, wheatgrass, eggs, coconut, bone marrow, parsley, mussels Other treatments: -Moxa to restore balance-Acupuncture stimulates release of neurotransmitters. It has shown to have positive affects on PMS
I needed this!!! I didn’t know acupuncture would help!!